Sweet Land (2005)

In 1920, Inge, a German national, travels from Norway to rural Minnesota for her arranged marriage to Olaf, a Norwegian farmer; bureaucracy and prejudice cause major complications.

Director:

Ali Selim

Writers:

Will Weaver (short story "A Gravestone Made of Wheat"), Ali Selim

Stars:

Elizabeth Reaser, Lois Smith, Patrick Heusinger

6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elizabeth Reaser	...	Young Inge
Lois Smith	...	Old Inge
Patrick Heusinger	...	Young Lars
Stephen Pelinski	...	Old Lars
Tim Guinee	...	Young Olaf
Robert Hogan	...	Old Olaf
Alan Cumming	...	Young Frandsen
Paul Sand	...	Old Frandsen
Jodie Markell	...	Donna Torvik
Sage Kermes	...	Mae Torvik
Kirsten Frantzich	...	Lee
Stephen Yoakam	...	Einar Torvik
Karen Landry	...	Rose Torvik
James Cada	...	Minister Thorwald
Debbie DeLisi	...	Sarah Torvik

Storyline

As Inge buries her husband Olaf on their Minnesota farm in 1968, we relive her life story as she tells her grown grandson about how she arrived from Germany in 1920 as Olaf's postal bride and of the obstacles they overcame in order to marry...

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Plot Keywords:

minnesota | 1920s | farm | morality | bicycle | 

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Taglines:

Every journey ends at home.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief partial nudity and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Norwegian

Release Date:

31 July 2008 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Wedding Photo

Filming Locations:

Dawson, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$41,860 (USA) (13 October 2006)

Gross:

$1,706,325 (USA) (6 July 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

120dB Films, Beautiful Motion Pictures LLC, Channel Z Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dan Futterman was originally cast as Olaf, but by the time the movie was ready to shoot, Futterman was committed to Capote so he recommended Tim Guinee for the role.

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Goofs

When Olav finds Inge in his house in the morning and then they go out to the barn, there is inconsistency in the time of day of the indoor and outdoor shots. In some it is gray/early morning and in others the sun in high in the sky and it is mid-day.

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Quotes

Postal Clerk: No foreign language letters leave the country.
Young Olaf: Why?
Postal Clerk: We're at war, with Germany.
Young Olaf: So they keep telling me. I tought ve von.

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Soundtracks

"Quiet Breathing"
Music and Lyrics by Mark Orton, Thomas Lieberman (as T.F. Lieberman) and Haley Bonar
Published by Camp Watertown Music/Liza Rose Music
Quiet Breathing, LP (ASCAP)
Performed by Haley Bonar

User Reviews

A rural farm community in Minnesota deals with one of it's resident's new postal bride from Germany post World War I

I was also able to view this beautiful film at a pre-screening in Northfield through St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges. I cannot praise this film enough. I am so excited to have Ali make more films and so anxious for this film to be released in theaters so that everyone may enjoy it. I also stayed after the film for a Q&A with Ali (the director) and it was really interesting to hear him speak about the film. Fantastic film, gorgeous filming, heartfelt story. Tears rolled down my face at the end; extremely touching film. I think people of all ages will appreciate this film. The director comes from commercial work and advertising so his transition to film was interesting to hear about, but it seemed to be extremely successful! I can't say enough about Sweet Land!